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Obama Endorses Hillary Clinton, and Urges Democrats to Unite Obama Endorses Hillary Clinton, and Urges Democrats to Unite
(35 minutes later)
WASHINGTON — President Obama on Thursday formally endorsed Hillary Clinton and called her the most qualified candidate to seek the White House, imploring Democrats to come together to elect her after a bruising party primary.WASHINGTON — President Obama on Thursday formally endorsed Hillary Clinton and called her the most qualified candidate to seek the White House, imploring Democrats to come together to elect her after a bruising party primary.
In a video posted on Mrs. Clinton’s Facebook page, Mr. Obama said, “I don’t think there’s ever been someone so qualified to hold this office.”In a video posted on Mrs. Clinton’s Facebook page, Mr. Obama said, “I don’t think there’s ever been someone so qualified to hold this office.”
Mr. Obama is impatient to begin playing an active role in the race to succeed him, and his administration has been in talks with Mrs. Clinton’s team in recent days about how and where he could be most helpful to her. Mr. Obama is impatient to begin playing an active role in the race to succeed him.
But the president has been circumspect about declaring the race finished — even after Mrs. Clinton captured sufficient delegates in primaries on Tuesday to clinch the Democratic nomination — making a public show of respect for Senator Bernie Sanders and his highly motivated coalition of progressive supporters. White House officials had been discussing an endorsement with Mrs. Clinton’s camp for days, but they kept the precise timing of the announcement under wraps, in part as a gesture of respect for Senator Bernie Sanders and his highly motivated coalition of progressive supporters. The president met with Mr. Sanders on Thursday morning.
On Thursday, Mr. Obama congratulated Mrs. Clinton on “making history” in becoming the presumptive nominee, and said he had personally witnessed her qualifications for the Oval Office. “I have seen her judgment, I’ve seen her toughness, I’ve seen her commitment to our values up close,” the president said. Mr. Obama recorded the Facebook message on Tuesday, aides said.
The president had been circumspect about declaring the race finished, even after Mrs. Clinton captured sufficient delegates in primaries on Tuesday to clinch the Democratic nomination. On Thursday, he congratulated her on “making history” and said he had personally witnessed her qualifications for the Oval Office.
“I have seen her judgment, I’ve seen her toughness, I’ve seen her commitment to our values up close,” the president said.
Mr. Obama also praised Mr. Sanders — who left the White House about 90 minutes before the video was posted — for what he called an “incredible campaign.” He said the Vermont senator’s emphasis on addressing income inequality, reducing the influence of money in politics, and bringing young people into the political process would strengthen the party.Mr. Obama also praised Mr. Sanders — who left the White House about 90 minutes before the video was posted — for what he called an “incredible campaign.” He said the Vermont senator’s emphasis on addressing income inequality, reducing the influence of money in politics, and bringing young people into the political process would strengthen the party.
“Embracing that message is going to help us win in November,” Mr. Obama said.“Embracing that message is going to help us win in November,” Mr. Obama said.
He said he knew how hard being president can be. He also said that he knew how hard being president can be, and that Mrs. Clinton was up to the job. “She’s got the courage, the compassion, and the heart to get the job done,” he said.
“That’s why I know Hillary will be so good at it,” he said. “In fact, I don’t think there’s ever been anyone so qualified to hold this office. She’s got the courage, the compassion, and the heart to get the job done. “I’m with her, I am fired up, and I cannot wait to get out there to campaign for Hillary,” Mr. Obama said.
“I’m with her, I am fired up, and I cannot wait to get out there to campaign for Hillary.”
The Clinton campaign then announced that Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton would campaign together in Green Bay, Wis., on Wednesday.The Clinton campaign then announced that Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton would campaign together in Green Bay, Wis., on Wednesday.